Electrolytic alternating-current chemical rectifier



L, E. SEELEYA ELECTRCLYTIG ALTERNATING CURRENT` CHEMICAL RECTIFIEH.APPLlcATlON FILED JUNE 251919A nvenor.

UNrED L are.

LEONARD E. SEELEY, OF WELLNGTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR 0F ONELHALF TO THOMAS F.CALLZELY, 0F WELLINGTON, OHIO.

-lllLEC'JIROIILYTIC ALTERNATING-CURRENT CHEMICAL RECTIFIR.

Application filed .Tune 23, 1919.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, LEONARD E; SELEY, a 4citizen of the United States,residing at Wellington, in the county of Lorain and State` of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Electrolytic Alternating-Current ChemicalRectifier, of which the following isa specification.

rIhis invention relates to improvements in electrolytic i alternatingcurrent chemical rectifiers, and pertains more especially to an improvedportable rectifier for 'a low voltage alternating current, such, forinstance, as that provided by the ignition magnetos of Ford automobiles,whereby to transform an alternating current into a periodic directcurrent used for charging storage batteries and other like purposes.

One object of this invention is to prevent the electrolytic solutionfrom' spilling over orlescaping out of the cell and hence to render myimproved rectifier more especially well adapted for use on anautomobile.

Another object is to facilitate' the assemblage of the component partsof my improved rectifier and to render the. device simple and durable inconstruction and reliable in its operation.

l/Vith these objects in view, and to attain any other object hereinafterappearing, this invention consists in certain features of construction,and combinations and relative arrangements of parts, hereinafterdescribed in this specification, pointed out in the claims, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings Figures 1 and 2 are sectional views oi a portablerectifier embodying myl invention, Fig. 1 being a vertical section takenalong the line 1 1, Fig. 2, looking inlthe direction indicated by thearrow, and Fig. 2, being a vertical section taken along the line 2 2,Fig. 1, looking outwardly. Fig. 3 is awertical section taken along theline 3 8, Fig. 1 looking outwardly. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section takenalong the line 4 4, Fig. 1, looking downwardly.

The cell of my improved rectifier coming material, such, forinstance, asglass or Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1920.

serial no. 306,023.

porcelain and externally covered at the sides and bottom by a protectivecasing which is preferably/'made of wood. The receptacle 6 has aninterior chamber 8 for receiving the electrolyte which` consists of anelectrolytic solution, such, for instance, as phosphate of soda,carbonate of soda and phosphate of ammonium, and 9 indicates the levelof the electrolytic solution to be supplied to said chamber. The chamber8 extends from the bottom of the receptacle 6 upwardly to asubstantially horizontal diaphragm 10 arranged within and looselyfitting internally of the upper end portion of said receptacle andspaced downwardly from the upper extremityv of said receptacle, and saiddiaphragm is-composedgof insulating material, such, for instance, asglassl or porcelain. Said diaphragm forms the top wall of the chamber 8and is supported as will hereinafter appear. The level 9 of theelectrolytic solution is below the diaphragm 10 so as to form, betweensaid diaphragm and said level, a space for receiving gas evolved byelectrolytic action, and said space has an outlet formed by asubstantially vertical tube 12 which is composed of insulating material,such, for instance, as glass or 6 and has its upper end portionexternally screw-threaded and provided with a closure consisting of acorrespondingly internally screw-threaded cap 13 screwed onto the saidportion of said tube.- The cap 13 (see'Fig. 1) is provided centrallywith an orifice 14 forming a vent for theescape of gas ascending intosaid tube from the space between the diaphragm and the level 9 of theelectrolytic solution. The tube 12 also forms the inlet of the chamber 8in supplying said chamber with the electrolytic solution.

Seated on the bottom of the chamber 8 (see Figs.`1 and 2) are twolaterally spaced racks 16 of insulating material, such, for instance, asglass or porcelain. Each rack CIK 'l mg a seat for 1,6 has its upperportion provided with three substantially parallel recesses 17 spacedendwise ot the rack, and each ot said recesses extends laterallythioiigh the rack. Upon the bottom ot the central recess in each rack lerests a substantially verti cal plate 2O composed preferably ot aluminumand forming one electrode ot the rectilier, and upon the bottoms oit theouter recesses in said rack rest two substantially vertical plates 2lpreferably composed ot iron and forming the other electrode ot therectitier as will hereinafter more clearly appear. lt will be observed'that the aluminum plate 2() is seated in the aclts centrally between'the ends ot' the racks. and that the two ir'on plates 2l are seated inthe racks between the plate 2() and opposite ends respectively ot theracks. (bviously therefore the plates 2() and 2l are substantiallyvparallel and spaced laterally and pret'eri bly have their body-portionsterminating at their upper ends below but in proximity to the level f)ot the eleetrolytic solution.

The aluminum plate Q() is provided at its upper end and at one side ot'the tubular memberlQ with an arm 22 arranged adjacent one side edge otsaid plate and extending upwardly to the diaphragm l() and having alaterally projectii'ig portion 23 shown extending over one oit theplates 2l and ai'- ranged next below and forming a seat oi' support forthe diaphragm. The seat-torming member 23 ot the arm 02 (see Fig. 3) isprovided with a bracket comprising an upright member Q-'t which is shownintegral with said seat-forming member and extends loosely through aslot 25 formed in the adjacent end ot the diaphragm l() andsubstantially parallel with the plate 20. The member 2i extendspreferably to a point centrally between the diaphragm l0 and the upperextremity of the receptacle 6 where it has a laterally projectingportion26 torma binding post Q7 to which the conducting wire 2S is attached.Said binding post is secured to the seat-forming vportion 26 ot themember Q4; in any approved manner.` It will be observed that the slot 25extends to an edge of the diaphragm 10 near one end ot said edge. and lwould here remark that each iron plate 2l is provided. at its upper endandadjacent the opposite edge of the diaphragm, with an arm 3Q extendingupwardly to the diaphragm and having a late ally projecting portion 3Barranged next below and forming a seat or support tor the diaphragm. Theseat-forming members 33 ot' the two plates 2l (see Figs. 2 and et)extend toward and into contact with each other and over but are spacedtrom the central plate 20, and are provided (see Figs. 2 and 4)' withupwardly projecting members 34C which extend loosely through a slottively oli said diaphragm permits the assemblage o'll the diaphragm andthe plates 2() and 2l preparatory to their introduction into thereceptacle o. 'the members -Ht are side b v side and terminate insuperimposed and contigons laterally projecting members ilo the uppero'l.z which torms a seat tor a binding post 23T projecting above thertaeptacle h an'd to which the conducting wire 3S is attached. Thebinding post 3T is secured to the portions 'ti o'l the members I'-l inany approved manner.

Yl`he upper end ot the receptacle 6 is hernietically sealed at the outerside ot the diaphragm l() by'a body ot insulating material lt). such.tor instance. as parallin apphed in a melted condition after the bindingposts are attached tothe portions 26 and 23C) oll the members 9A and534. 4

ly the construction hereinbetore described it will be observed that theinsulating diaphragm l() rests on and inexpensively but eiiicientlysupported from the seat-iirn'iing members 23 and SP3 ot' theelectrode-forming plates. and that only cutting away of the body otsealing material et() "troni thereceptacle (3 is required to render thebinding posts. diaphragm and electrode- Atoi-ming plates tree to beremoved Ytrom said receptacle.

lYliat claim isl. ln an alternating-current chemical rectifier. areceptacle having an electrolytereceiving chamber. a substantiallyhorizontal insulating diaphragm arranged internally ot' the upper endportion ot and loosely litting said receptacle and torming the top wallot said chamber. and an electrode which comprises a plate arranged andsupported in said chamber and having a seat for said diaphragm andprovided with a member extending throngh and above the diaphragm torelectrically connecting the plate to a conducting wire externally ofsaid chamber.v l

the receptacle being hermetically sealed at the outer side otl thediaphragm.

2. ln an alternating-current chemical rectitier. a receptacle having anelectrolytereceiving chamber. a substantially horizontal insulatingdiaphragm internally of the upper end portion ot said receptacle andtorming the top wall ot said chamber` and an electrode comprising aplate which atliords support to said diaphragm and is provided with amember extending through and above the diaphragm for electricallyconnecting the plate to a conducting wire externally of said chamber,the diaphragm havedge of the diaphragm.

3. In an alternating-current chemical rectifier, a receptacle having anelectrolyte-receiving chamber, a substantially horizontal insulatingdiaphragm internally of the upper end portion of said receptacle andforming the top Wall of said chamber, and an electrode comprising aplate which is arranged in said chamber and provided with a laterallyprojecting member arranged next below and forming a seat for thediaphragm, said seat-forming member terminating in an upright memberwhich is integral with said seat-forming member and extends through andabove the 'diaphragm for electrically connecting said plate with aconducting wire externally of said chamber.

4. In an alternating-current chemical rectitier, a receptacle having anelectrolyte-receiving chamber, a substantially horizontal insulatingdiaphragm arranged internally of the upper end portion of saidreceptacle and forming the top of s aid chamber, and an electrodecomprising a plate which is arranged and supported in said chamber andhas its body portion spaced from'said diaphragm and provided adjacent asideedge of the 'plate with an arm extendingto the diaphragm and havinga laterally projecting portion which is arranged next below and `forms aseat for the diaphragm, said seatforming portion terminating ina memberwhich extends through and above the diaphragm and is adapted to beemployed in electrically connecting said plate with a conducting wireexternally of said chamber, the diaphragm having a slot arranged toaccom modate the extension of said member of said seat-forming portionthrough the diaphragm, and said slot being substantially parallel withsaid plate and extending to an edge of the plate.

In an alternating-current chemical rectier, a receptacle having anelectrolyte-receiving chamber, a substantially horizontal insulatingdiaphragm arranged internally of the upper end portion of said chamber,and an electrode comprising two laterally spaced substantially paralleland substantially vertical plates arranged and supported in said chamberand having seats for the diaphragm, the diaphragm being provided with aslot, each of the aforesaid plates being provided with a member engagingandextending through said slot and above the diaphragm, and theslot-engaging members of said plates being adapted to'be connected abovethe diaphragm to aq conducting wire.

6. In an alternating-current chemical' rectifier, a receptacle having anelectrolyte-re ceiving chamber, a substantially horizontal insulatingdiaphragm arranged internally of the upper end portion of said chamber,and an electrode comprising two laterally spaced substantially paralleland substantially vertical plates arranged and supported in saidchamber, the diaphragm being provided over the space between said plateswith a slot, each plate having a laterally projecting member arrangednext below and forming a seat for the diaphragm and ex tending to saidslot and provided at said slot with an upwardly projecting meinberengaging the slot, the slot-engaging members of said plates extendingthrough and above said Slot anflgulapted to be connected to a conductingwire externally of the aforesaid chamber.

T. In an alternating-current chemical rectifier, a. receptacle havii` gan electrolyte-receiving chamber, a substantially horizontal insulatingdiaphragm arranged internally of the upper end portion of and looselyfitting said receptacle and forming the top wall of said chamber andspaced downwardly Jfrom the upper extremity of the receptacle andprovided with two spaced slots, two spaced electrodes seated in saidchamber and hav ing seats `tor the diaphragm, a body .o insulatingsealing material at the outer side of said diaphragm, and two bindingposts arrangedadjacent the diiierent slots respectively in the diaphragmand extending upwardly from within said body of sealing material andadapted to be connected the Yone to one of two conducting wires and theother to the other of said wires, one of the electrodes being providedwith a member which extends upwardly through one of the aforesaid slotsand is employed in supporting one of said binding posts, and the otherelectrode being provided with a member which extends upwardly throughthe other of said slots and is employed in supporting the other of saidposts.'

S. In an alternating-current chemical rectifer, a receptacle having anelectrolyte-receiving chamber, a 'substantially horizontal insulatingdiaphragm arranged internally ofthe upper endl portion of saidreceptacle and Jforming the top wall of said chamber and spaceddownwardly from the upper extremity of said receptacle and provided withtwo slots extending inwardly from opposite edges respectively ofthediaphragm, an electrede-forming plate seated in said chamber, twoelectrodaforming plates seated in said chamber at opposite sidesrespectively of and spaced from -the first-mentioned plate, and a bodyof insulating material sealing the receptacle atthe outer s de of theda# phragm, the aforesaid pl tes having seats for the diaphragm, thefirs -mentioned plate

